Modifying Engine Hatch
 

I picked up an engine hatch from a 32 Skater which I believe is a kevlar and glass layup?

I need to modify it to fit my Hydra. The Skater hatch has angleled corners on the forward edge which I need to make square so I need to add some material there. Also I need to narrow it by 4" on both sides and lengthen it by 1" in the front. I'm not sure what type of material to use for the core and someone told me that marine fiberglas resin is different from automotive resin? Any pointers would be very helpful, Thanks!

can you post pics of the new hatch and what you want it to fit? Kevlar is a pain to work with.

I'll see if I can get some pics tomorrow, Thanks Dave Bought it from Larry, kevlarkat Maybe he'll see this and have some info he takes pics of everything.

didn't most skater use epoxy resin?

http://www.offshoreonly.com/forums/s...-500-00-a.html

Thanks mtm, yep that's it. I forgot Larry had posted it here. Memory failing I guess. Anyway, like I said,the width needs to be narrowed 4" on each side and the front to back lengthened 1". And those angled corners need to be squared off. I also plan to add some more support to the underside because of course the forward cross supports interfere with the spark arrestors. I was thinking of taking out the forward section of the X brace and replace it with another running straight acros side to side. Then add support all the way around the outter edge and a pair spaced in the center for to aft so I could put in some mirrored panels?

Dave, does that help?

Bill,

The hatch came off my 1988 Skater which was layed up with Kevlar and Vinylester resin ( epoxy used in later years )
Cant say 100 % if the hatch is Kevlar as I never ground into it but it is Balsa cored .

Glass Dave is the expert for sure but as you have seen Bill I have performed a ton of glass work on my Skater

To add on I would make a form from MDF and either a this piece plastic or clear tape to keep from sticking . This woulkd be attached to the outside of hatch and clamped in place

With Vinylester resin use 1.5 oz mat then fab mat , balsa core then fabmat and then 1.5 oz mat . Make the corner much larger than needed then cut back and glass edge .
I thought you said that you had a guy to modify the hatch ?

Larry